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Events DC and NRG Esports Announce Esports Team House in Washington, DC

NRG’s Overwatch Contenders New Home Reinforces Events DC’s Long-Term Commitment to Esports in the District

(WASHINGTON, DC) – February 26, 2018 – In year two of their partnership, Events DC and NRG Esports today announced a new training home in Washington, DC. The location will house NRG’s developmental Overwatch Roster for the Contenders Series. This strategic move to Washington, DC showcases Events DC’s long-term commitment to the rapidly growing esports landscape and its ecosystem in the nation’s capital.

“Washington, DC is an innovative city with a flourishing creative economy that continues to position itself to attract new visitors, future residents and industries to bring new revenue to the city. While technology is shaping the future of entertainment, esports is just another opportunity for us to showcase DC. Through Events DC’s esports initiative, the District remains committed to creating a hub for esports,” said Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner.

"We are beyond thrilled that NRG has chosen the District of Columbia to locate a house for their Overwatch Contenders team. One of our priorities at Events DC over the last 18 months has been to create and execute an esports strategy to position Washington, DC as a leader in this important economic development and tourism space,” said Max Brown, Chairman, Board of Directors at Events DC. “We have done this through our ongoing sponsorship of NRG; our hosting of major esports events, and our brand building across the country. This move by NRG to locate a team here in the nation’s capital is further evidence that our esports efforts continue to gain traction and show success.”

NRG’s Overwatch Contenders Roster will consist of six professional players from three different continents, who will now live and compete together under one roof. Having a dedicated training space has become a popular trend with professional players. The team house will allow for the best possible training environment by creating a central location for the players to live, play and work together.

"It’s exciting to be on the forefront of an emerging industry like esports and to be able to strategically expand our partnership with NRG,” said Greg O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “With the Overwatch Contenders coming to live, train and play in Washington, DC, this represents another opportunity for DC to be positioned as the capital of esports. Our esports initiative will also play a key role in helping to fuel our growth – at the future Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights and with an international reach as well.”

The Contenders League season one will run for six weeks and the first match for the NRG team will take place on March 13 at 6:00 p.m.

"We are thrilled to be continuing the relationship between Events DC and NRG for another year. This year's focus on our Contenders Overwatch roster, that we will be housed in Washington DC, is incredibly exciting and offers up a host of new ways for Events DC and NRG to activate together," said Brett Lautenbach, President of NRG Esports.

The Overwatch Contenders team will wear a specialized tournament jersey featuring Events DC branding. The players will also participate in on-site activations in partnership with Events DC across the city as well as drive branded content.

“Everyone is very excited to represent NRG and to be given the opportunity to represent Events DC in Overwatch Contenders. We can't wait to move to DC and begin grinding,” said Robert Garcia, NRG Contenders Overwatch Player.
There are 12 teams in the North American region and there are six other regions, from across the globe, each with 12 teams participating in season one of the Contenders league.

Matches will be played (online) once a week on either Tuesday or Sunday from the team house. The season culminates in a playoff with a total prize pool of $185,040.00. To view the full season one schedule: https://contenders.playoverwatch.com/en-us/schedule.

About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@TheEventsDC) and Instagram (@EventsDC).